4th Sunday of Easter, 4-25-2021

Good Morning Everyone.   Welcome to our celebration of life, peace and friendship.  Happy Valentine's Day.

You people are so lucky this morning.  It is freezing outside and you can join the Community celebration from your living room.  We also celebrate the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Guess what this Wednesday is?  Yep, Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.  The most unpleasant season of the Church calendar.  I grew up thinking I was bad and Lent's emphasis on my sinfulness did not do me good.

I have a February wish.  That we will all get the vaccine this month.

To start our Sunday celebration, I invite you to go inside, listen to your heart, and listen to your breathing.  What is your blessing this morning, the blessing of your week?  Take a moment to reflect.

Share Blessings.

 

Leviticus 13, 1-2, 44-46, If the man is leprous and unclean…

Psalm 32, I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble.

1 Corinthians 10, 31-11, 1, Do everything for the glory of God.

Mark  1, 40-45,  A leper came to Jesus.

 

 

 

Thanks……

Music,  Ben & Shonda

Readers,   , and Buddy, the candle blesser

Gospel,  Mike Carrell

Homily,  John Stack

Eucharistic Prayer A & B, Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,   Hue & Richard & Mike 

Final Blessing, Rosemary

For hosting us at Legacy, Becky

 

 

Sunday Readings:

Download Reading 6th Sunday 2-14-2021

 

Homily by John Stack

Download Sunday Homily 6th Ordinary 2-14-21

 

 

Please Remember these special people:

For Carrie's ex, Larry;  For Alan Stryker;  For Joe Sullivan;    For Rosemary's great niece, Rylie ;  For Richard's grand daughter, Madeleine;   For Esparza's new great grandson baby, son of Monique;  For all the medical personnel struggling to treat the tsunami of sick people, in particular, locally, Cindy's staff at Presby, Dallas, and at Frisco Presby, the mother of Harper and Betsy, Kendle, working in labor & delivery, and for Hue & Linda's daughter, Doctor Rosemary Beavers;   For Mary & Dave Hall's g-daughter Allison Keller working at St. Lukes, The Woodlands,   For Loretta's aunt Alicia;  For Sir Charlie & Jan;  Shonda's mom & Cody &  Leo & all of Shonda's dear family, For Ursuline Sr. Mary Troy 

The Brain Trust–including Aviana.

 

Jackie's mom, sister, & friend, Lynn;  For both Jean & Cliff Wright;  For Rick Turner searching for a kidney donor, Type O neg; For Meredith, cancer free;    For John O'Donnell & Jean;   For Dee, and for her daughter, Lisa; For John Schanot's continued health;  For Anthony & Sabrina;    For a young man who is suffering from depression;  John Cade's mother in law, Kalliopi Piskiouli and Lambrini, plus John's daughter, Joey, with cancer; from Barbara, a little 4 month old boy undergoing an operation & for Rollie with Corona; for David McKeon's brother, Hugh; for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

 

 

Birthdays:        Dana Dinsmore

Anniversary:  John & Allison, 28th

                              John & Lambrini, 15th

 

 

Community Finances, February 14, 2021

Expenses: $ 

Outreach   $   (often for Souls Harbor, Legacy, etc.)

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

Finances will be in next week's blog.

 

Rosemary's Blessing:

 

 

 

Hi, Emma, and Happy Christmas.  You look gorgeous.

 

 

Welcome: Catholic Mass with coffee & juice, and pastries, some bought, some home-made.  

Time: 4:00; Celebrate with the Community & Stack

Place: Sigler Elementary, 1400 Janwood Drive, Plano, TX 75075

                       

 Note for bad weather Sundays:  If you wonder if we will have our celebration, call me (214-783-0443) and I will record a message.   I will also get a phone tree moving.  Check the directory for phone numbers.  If we know for sure the Saturday evening before, I can also post a blog.

 

 

 

Hi, Nora, I hear Santa  is coming to visit you tonight and maybe even this evening.

 

Readings:

Genesis15, 1-6; 21, 1-3    Look up at the sky and count the stars.  Just so shall your descendants be.

Psalm, 105,  the Lord remembers his covenant forever.

Hebrews 11, 8, 11-12, 17-19  By faith Abraham obeyed.

Luke 2, 22-40,   Simeon & Anna meet Jesus

 

 

 

 

Quiz: how many people are singing in the photo.

 

 

Community Activities:  

ROMEO MEET: Friday, December  29, Jason's Deli, Collin Creek Mall, west side of Central, 1:00.  Welcome all wakos,  you will fit right in.  Apologies for the mix up last Friday.

JULIET LUNCHEON, (aka.,just us ladies into eating together),  January Lunch, TBA

 

Dickenson Trip:  February 23- March 3

 

 

 

 

Those Bresson kids.

 

 

What is going on in Our Catholic World:

1    The cruelty of the tax plan, NationalCatholic Reporter, December 14, 666  words,    Download THE CRUEL BUDGET 12-28-17- 

2.  Jesuit parishes as sanctuaries, National Catholic Reporter,   December 21, 654 words,    Download SJ PARISHES SANCTUARIES 12-28-17

3.   How to reform the Vatican, National Catholic Reporter,  December 21, 255 words, Download REFORMING VATICAN 12-28-31

 

 

 

 

I think I see some shepherds.

 

 

True?

The belief that there is only one truth, and that oneself is in possession of it, is the root of all evil in the world.

Max Born

 

 

 

 

Under that bush, could there be a Cathy?

 

 

See you Sunday, December 31, 2017

J.S., 214-783-0443

 

 

 

 

Sez Sam, "Where is that Santa character?"

 

 

JSM Mission-Faith Statement

Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for and challenges spiritual and total growth.

Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged and make the world we live in a better place to live.

 

 

 

Sez Tori,  "He's coming, Sam.  You just watch."

 

 

 

 

"I've seen him," says Zoe

Readings:

Numbers 67, 22-27,  The Lord bless you and keep you.

 Psalm 67,  May God bless us in his mercy

 Galatians 4, 4-7,  God sent the spirit of his son into our hearts.

Luke 2, 16-21,   The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God.

 

 

Genevieve, are you the little girl in the red dress who stole the whole show at our Christmas Eve celebration??

 

First reading: God blesses people in countless ways.  Today’s reading from the Book of Numbers is a priestly blessing given first to Moses by words that come to him from the Lord.

Second reading, Galatians 4:4-7: God sent his Son to redeem us so that we can become God’s adopted sons.

 

 

 

Brandon says, "Welcome in, Everybody.  Yep, she is the girl in the red dress."

 

Gospel reading, Matthew 25: 31-46:

John gave me permission to switch gospel readings. What you are missing is a small part of a metaphorical story about Mary, an angel, shepherds and the baby Jesus.

You might recall 15 or 20 years ago that the Liturgy of the Word, for each of the A, B, and C cycles on New Year’s Day, had as its gospel Matthew’s parable of The Last Judgment.  I imagine that its purpose was to encourage parishioners to incorporate some of its teaching into their New Year’s resolutions.

 

 

Alison, you know that the kids all love your home made communion bread and want more than one.

 

But I want you for a moment to think about where we live.  When we go shopping, to work, or to a movie or local restaurant, to Whole Foods or Target, it isn’t really clear to us if there is, for example, an orphan or a widow in our midst who needs our help.  

Simply put, we choose to support with taxes and contributions, governmental agencies and nonprofits, to provide food and drink to the hungry and thirsty and stranger twenty miles south of us. The fact is, whether we realize it or not, we distance ourselves from the needy.

 

 

Clear the way, Folks, here come Mike the Coffee Man.  

 

The meaning to today’s parable is this: When we distance ourselves from the needy, we distance ourselves from God.

I placed myself in the following scenario: I was in one of the poorer parts of South Dallas, around seven in the evening, in front of a drug store where I had gone to pick up some cough medicine.

 

 

Aiden with his grandparents, John & Jean O'Donnell.

 

When I got out of the car and pushed the button to lock all of its doors, I immediately noticed, about two yards from the entrance of the store a stranger, at least to me. He was homeless, for he was wearing too many clothes, unshaven, had dark hair and complexion, and he was finishing the last drink of water that he would get from a small plastic bottle.

 

 

Learning:  Big brother teaching little sister how to work a water fountain.

 

He was looking right at me, and I at him. As I approached him he addressed me in a language I did not know or understand.  Searching his face I sought his eyes and noticed a bit of a smile as he ran his fingers through his hair.  He reached to open the door for me.  What should I do? 

 

Mike ready to share his ideas in his homily.

 

In a split second I heard the question from the unrighteous in today’s parable, ‘When was it that we saw you a stranger and did not welcome you?’

 

 

Offertory, Cheryl, Carrie, & Paul.

 

Would I have responded with a joyful smile?  Would I have embraced him with his perfume of sweat?  Would I have kissed him on his forehead, taking hold of his arm to have him enter with me?  Would I have asked the people in the store if anyone knew his language so that I could find out why he was there and what he needed?  Would I have invited him to my home, offered him the opportunity to take a shower, laid out something for him to wear as I washed his clothes and prepared something for him to eat?   

 

 

Brandon, our Candle Lighter of The Week.

 

Jesus, an itinerant preacher, had a dark complexion and nowhere to rest his head.  Was he present to me here and now? The Lord in our parable was hungry, thirsty, a stranger longing for a visit.   Yes, every encounter we have with another is meant to be a holy encounter.  

 

Our School gorilla (know any other school with a pet gorilla at the door to the cafeteria?) says he is happy to see us back in the cafeteria after being in the gym for Christmas Eve.

 

When we name the other person God, we name ourselves.  We verify our name, the body of Christ in the world.

 

 

 

Rosemary's Blessing: 

 

HOPI PRAYER OF THE SOUL'S GRADUATION:

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there,
I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight
On the ripened grain.
I am the gentle Autumn's rain.

When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there.
I did not die.

Special Thanks: 

• For Reading: Scott, Mary Ellen

• For the Communion Bread:  Christine & Megan

• For Serving:   Kevin Doherty & T.J.

• For the Books & Wine Cups & Cross: John & Allison & Rob

• For the Music: Ray & Wendy & Celeste

• For the Pictures: Jan & Beth

• For the altar & sound:  Mary Ellen & Hue

• For the donuts & coffee:  Jackie & Charley & Jan

Happy Birthday:  Laura McKinley (20), Melissa Meyer (18), Marilyn Ackerman, Joan Gleason, Emily Kite (15) 

 

Happy Anniversary: 

• Rose & Wally Banzhaf (38th)

Please Remember:   Rosemary's brother Peter who died Monday;  Bill Russell whose funeral I did yesterday, Saturday, with a jazz quintet at Sparkmen-Hillcrest; Cindy Cramer recuperating from her foot operation; Chris Phipp's mom with cancer; Cara Kless who had eye surgery Tuesday; Christine Drescher's Grandmother;   David Hoover's mom who is failing;  Ann Bivona with her broken leg;  Rita at home & recuperating; Jackie's friend Jack Brown with various cancers & Keith Beasley who fell off the 7th floor of a parking garage;  Julie Johnston who is dealing with a return of her cancer;  Margie Weynant whose lung cancer has returned;  Hugh Bivona's sick friends Bob & Bonnie; Rick Urbanczyk’s mom, Irene;  Richard Froebe's dad who had a stroke;  Warren & Barb's friends Jerry & and Mark, and a little baby, Reese who has tuberous sclerosis complex;   Mary Ellen's Christopher, Margaret, & Jim;  Tom & Teresa's friend Neva Flynn with cancer & Teresa's niece Angel;  Diane's dad Butch Uderman  & cousin Judy;  Margie's mom ; Donna & Cathy Goode's mom; our friends, sons, & daughters in the military, including Trey Bailey, Ryan McClurg, Matt Gardner, Chebino, Roy's son Chris, Lisa's nephew Kristopher on his 2nd Iraq trip; David Hoover; George & Marianne's sons & Linda's son and Marianne's mom Marguerite, plus Stacie & Ben White & their niece just diagnosed with leukemia; a cure for autism from Laura Chollick;  Dawn's friend Jessica & Aunt Ann & Hector; Fred's friend John with cancer; Casey & Rob plus Cameron  & Reid, Trey and Brady; for our President  that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.                  

Picture 1:  Mary Ellen reading Ephesians

Picture 2:  Joan Gleason on her birthday

 

Picture 3:  Community

 

Picture 4:  Frank & his Mom, Mela

 

Check out the Quads: http://gerwerbabies.blogspot.com   

 

Your Finances:

 

August 23:  Postponed until next Sunday because of the memorial in NY Monday

• Income for Running   Expenses: $ 
• Income for Outreach Expenses: $   

 Thanks for your Generosity!

 Have a Great Week, J.S    (214-783-0443)

Genesis 14:   Blessed be Abram by God Most High,  the creator of heaven and earth; 

Corinthians 11:  For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of  death of the Lord until he comes.

Luke 9:  They all ate and were satisfied.  And when  the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.

           

Mary reading from Genesis

Thanks…

Music,    Shonda & Ben

Readers, Mary & Frank

Gospel,   John Cade

Homily,  John Cade

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,      Hue & Kevin

Final Blessing, Rosemary

Frank reading from Corinthians

 

Readings:  Download 06-19-22 – Readings – Corpus Christi

Homily: Download 06-19-22 – Homily – Corpus Christi

                                       

 

Shonda and Ben always great

                                                     

 

Remember these special people:

For Sandra who has been diagnosed with Large B Cell Lymphoma;   For Lambrini, John Cade's wife, who is dealing with cancer and Kaliope, John Cade's Mother-in-law, with 2 broken vertebrae;  For Jackie;  For John's sister, Kathey in the hospital after a fall;    For Tom Good;  For a young man, 19 struggling with a brain tumor and cancer;     For Mary Hall's friend Cadence still suffering from a serious medical condition;   For Sir Charlie & Jan; 

                           

 

The Kiss of Peace

 

Jackie's mom, sister, & friend, Lynn;  For Rick Turner searching for a kidney donor, Type O neg.;   For Jean & Cliff Wright;  For Dee, and for her daughters, Lisa & Lauren;     For a young man who is suffering from depression;  John Cade's daughter, Joey, with cancer; from Barbara, a little baby boy named Ford recuperating from an operation & friends, Annie, a mom of 3 kids and Michael ;    for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

 

 

Frank, Mary, Dee and Cindy

     

Birthdays:  Bernadette Delgado 6/19 

Anniversaries:   Barb & Warren Wittek 6/21

      

Community Finances:   

Expenses: $   605.00

Outreach: $    200.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

                    

            Father's Day blessing for all the men               

 

Rosemary's Blessing:  

Loving God, through the gift of our fathers,

you reveal your wisdom, love and care.

 

Continue to bless and guide these holy men

you have given to us in our lives.

 

Support them in their call

to lead holy lives of faithfulness, respect and integrity.

 

May their witness of faith and love

shine from them and on their children and families

giving hope and encouragement to all.

 

Bless them for all the ways they lift their children to achieve their dreams.

Bless them for their sacrifice, their forgiveness and their guidance.

 

Bless grandfathers, uncles, brothers, cousins, teachers and coaches

who have shown us love and support.

 

For those fathers who have lost a child or spouse,

give them your loving touch of healing

consoling them with your gentle care.

 

For those fathers who have gone before us,

bring them to your eternal banquet of joy and peace;

bring them the fullness of union with you

and communion with us as we remember their love for us. Amen.

 

(Adapted from Fr. John Thomas Lane, SSS)

Happy Father’s Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin and Hue, the ZOOM Team

 

 

Thanks…     

Music,   Ben

Community Finances:   

  Expenses: $    525.00

  Outreach: $      50.00

 

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

 

Rosemary's Blessing:

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;

To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you lived.

This is to have succeeded.

 

Success – Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

May you succeed!